The QNAP TS-251A versus QNAP TS-253B NAS – Which one deserves your money?

Comparing the home use TS-251A NAS and the SMB TS-253B NAS from QNAP

The QNAP TS-x53B Series featuring the TS-253B NAS, TS-453B NAS and TS-653B NAS 10What can both  NAS server’s do? Before I get down to which of these units is better at what task, I think it is important to know the things that BOTH of these NAS devices can do. So, whether you decide upon older but cheaper QNAP TS-251A or the higher priced but far more able QNAP TS-253B NAS, you will definitely be able to:

  • Host a Virtualisation or Container Platform – setup and run multiple VMs, supporting multiple Operating systems and enhanced by the Docker app, Container Station
  • Full access to your media from mobile devices, PC, Laptop and console devices
  • Have both network access from your LAN or over the internet, as well as DIRECT access via USB 3.0 to the contents of the NAS at all times

The QNAP TS-x53B Series featuring the TS-253B NAS, TS-453B NAS and TS-653B NAS 8

  • Have a remote control included that provides full media control from the comfort of your sofa and via your HDMI enabled TV. However the type of remote differs dependently on the unit.
  • The QNAP TS-453B NAS Remote control:new qnap remote control for NAS via HDMI IRThe QNAP TS-451A NAS Remote control:old qnap remote control for NAS via HDMI IR
  • Serve as a cross platform service – bridging connections and transfers of files between Mac and Windows systems over the network
  • Heavily support background data checks and comprehensive snapshot technology meaning you will have an equal amount of backup options whichever you go for. As well as migration, connection and interaction with existing cloud services like dropbox, Google Drive ElephantDrive
  • Create a comprehensive Surveillance solutions, supporting multiple IP cameras and even arriving with some licences included
  • Access exactly the same NAS OS that is updated regularly and has a huge app store to really customise your setup to make it your own

What are the Pros and Cons of the TS-253B New NAS from QNAP?

the qnap ts-253b nas review score

The QNAP TS-x53B Series featuring the TS-253B NAS, TS-453B NAS and TS-653B NAS 12

VALUE

 For the pure funtionality and ability, you will struggle to do better than this NAS. It is designed to be the answer to your NAS needs and delivers in almost everyway. It brings years of technical evolution and innovation to a climax and produces a fantastic little NAS solution in the TS-253B

FEATURES

easily one of the most fully featured NAS servers in this price range available to date! With many of the key hardware and software applications of the QNAP TVS-473, TS-451A, TS-453A and more – but all available in this single NAS. Dual HDMI, DUAL LAN, PCIe Slot, SD Card reader, Quick Connect DAS, one touch USB 3.0 Copy, Hot Swapping, new and improved remote control and more. This is fast becoming the home and SMB NAS to beat in 2017

PERFORMANCE

Supporting everything from Plex, Kodi over HDMI in Linux Station, VMs, standalone surveillance, all RAID levels, DLNA support, apple time machine, Mac and Windows full RTRRR, QVR Pro Beta and more – you will struggle to find something this NAS cannot do

DESIGN

Very unique chassis design from QNAP in the newly release TS-253B NAS for 2017. It is both compact and remarkably packed with features. The removable front panel acts as both protection for the HDD trays and a preventative measure for dust. Also the addition of an LCD panel, SD Card Reader, Direct Attached Connection and 1 Touch copy button mean this small little NAS has an incredible number of features

VALUE

Misses the mark just a little without arriving with TB3 connectivity and some users may be put off by the plastic chassis

FEATURES

Those looking for something for enterprise use will perhaps be better looking for something in the TVS-1282 Series in an i5 or i7. This NAS is about being able to do many, many things very well, rather than 1 or 2 things incredibly

PERFORMANCE

We just wish QNAP released the Thunderbolt 3 Card to buy seperately. A two Bay Thunderbolt 3 NAS would be incredible! Such a shame…but you never know

DESIGN

Shame it is almost 80% plastic externally. Yes that reduces noise and makes it quite, but some may be put off by this

 The QNAP TS-x53B Series featuring the TS-253B NAS, TS-453B NAS and TS-653B NAS 9

 
The QNAP TS-251A 2-Bay USB 3.0 DAS and NAS Walkthrough and Talkthrough with SPAN 8

What are the Pros and Cons of the older but well known TS-251A NAS released in 2016?

The QNAP TS-251a NAS score review

The QNAP TS-251A 2-Bay USB 3.0 DAS and NAS Walkthrough and Talkthrough with SPAN 2

VALUE

Originally released at a rather high price tag of £240 ex.VAT, but since release the price has dipped down to a more comfortable £220+ without VAT, it is a more attractive NAS purchase

FEATURES

Excellent system performance, ideal for centralized management, file sharing and backup
USB QuickAccess port for accessing files without needing a network connection – Easy accessible front USB3 to backup your external drive one way or another. Useful SD card slot eliminates necessity for a cable to connect photo camera. Bi directional micro USB connection let you connect this NAS directly to your PC to upload or download any files. Quick backup button on the front saves a lot of time to quickly backup your external hard drive.
Supports 4K hardware decoding and transcodes 4K H.264 videos on-the-fly or offline
Enjoy the best audio-visual experience with HDMI output, multi-channel surround sound and the free remote control

PERFORMANCE

The TS-251A is powered by an advanced 14nm Intel® Celeron® dual-core 1.6GHz processor that features low TDP (only 6 watts) and can automatically burst up to 2.48GHz. Coupled with dual-channel 2/4GB DDR3L-1600 dual-channel RAM (upgradable to 8GB), dual Gigabit LAN ports, and SATA 6Gb/s, the TS-451A can deliver up to 213.4 MB/s throughput for optimizing mission-critical tasks while still being energy efficient. The TS-251A also features Intel® AES-NI hardware-accelerated encryption to deliver up to 205.14 MB/s throughput with AES 256-bit throughput with AES-NI encryption for both full NAS volume and shared folders, boosting system performance & security while ensuring the safety of sensitive business data stored in the NAS

DESIGN

A very compact and versatile chassis, where sound is dampened by the less metallic chassis. Also the white and metallic blue colour scheme looks fantastic in an all Mac environment.

VALUE

Hardware specs are not as cheap as similar network drives available and you are paying extra for the USB DAS connection

FEATURES

Build a personal karaoke system with OceanKTV
Linux Station supports Ubuntu® with direct output via HDMI
A hybrid approach to virtualization: Virtualization Station & Container Station
Supports Virtual JBOD (VJBOD) to maximize the storage utilization of multiple QNAP NAS units

PERFORMANCE

Transfer speeds are up to 100MB/s when connecting directly to a PC.

DESIGN

Using the chassis from the TS-231+, it is almost entirely plastic. Might put some off.

The QNAP TS-251A 2-Bay USB 3.0 DAS and NAS Walkthrough and Talkthrough with SPAN 7

 

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